"Inside PreK Classrooms" provides school leaders with much-needed guidance and knowledge to ensure quality instruction for their youngest students. Based on their extensive experience working with children and educators, the authors bring readers inside real classrooms, where teachers are grappling with the "big ideas" that lie…

Rather than present a body of predetermined knowledge to be mastered in mathematics classes, teachers need to develop a curious, problem-posing habit of mind. This book contains materials to support teachers and teacher education students who are interested in developing a culture of inquiry and communication in their mathematics classes. It…

This book reveals some of the structural complexities involved in implementing authentic cooperative learning in the classroom. It also suggests that when full cooperative learning structures are implemented, the benefits in student achievement often can be astounding. Descriptions, decisions, designs, and developments, a simple four-part scheme,…

This book contains ideas for teachers facing the challenges of turning their classrooms and schools into "discourse communities." The yearbook is divided into four sections. Part 1 (chapters 1-3) sets the stage by considering the challenges inherent in shifting directions of discourse. Part 2 (chapters 4-21) focuses on establishing…

Examines word "communicative" and nature of communication and suggests it should not be applied to a methodology. Draws distinction between "communicative" and "noncommunicative" activities while claims each has its place in balanced approach to language teaching. (Author/BK)

Using the example of a teacher preparing a science review, describes the necessary elements of successful classroom writing. Students' interests, controlled vocabulary and sentence structure, and logic and clarity in the prepared material are stressed. (CJM)

Teachers' judicious use of humor in the classroom can have such positive effects as improving communication, focusing attention, provoking thought, liberating creative capacities, motivating students, and reinforcing desirable behaviors. Activities are suggested for exposing deaf students to various types of humor and helping them explore their…

The paper elaborates on communication techniques that can promote a sense of community in both the conventional classroom and online community college courses. To help students acquire a sense of recognition by their instructor, a personal note from the instructor acknowledging a student's improvement or expressing concern about a student's lack…

Discusses ways to improve the quality of teachers' classroom questions to help children clarify their thoughts, feel that they are worthy people, and understand their world. Asking open-ended questions that allow for discussion, encouraging children to answer questions orally, and listening to students' answers are urged. (CR)

A literature-based cognitive developmental approach to learning and instruction in mainstreamed settings is presented. The approach considers children with learning disabilities to be ineffective and inactive learners, and focuses on addressing learning skills for all children and emphasizing mutual support and communication within the classroom.…

Though classroom instructional strategies should clearly be based on sound science and research, knowing when to use them and with whom is more of an art. In "The Art and Science of Teaching: A Comprehensive Framework for Effective Instruction," author Robert J. Marzano presents a model for ensuring quality teaching that balances the necessity of…

This number of a journal devoted to ideas for teachers of English as a second language (ESL) contains the following articles: (1) "Using Authentic Discourse in Teaching the Conditional" by Helen Hoyt Schmidt, (2) "Better Communication through Summarizations" by John Battaglia, (3) "A Look at Discourse Analysis" by…

To improve oral communication skills of their students, teachers should provide opportunities for students to talk in class. Teachers are advised to: begin early, be sensitive to the individuality of students' speech patterns, and stress that there are different kinds of speech patterns for different situations. (JDD)

This paper discusses patterns of communication, particularly teaching/learning communication, in Hawaiian families, and the ways that these patterns affect the behaviors, expectations, and skills that Hawaiian children bring to school. It also describes some examples of educationally effective adaptations to these expectations and skills which…

Problems faced by deaf students developing social skills are discussed, and suggestions are provided for what teachers can do to specifically cultivate these skills. Teacher modeling, cooperative learning, and the integration of social skills lessons into other class lessons and activities are recommended, with sample activities and references to…